The Crazy Christmas Angel Mystery Read online

  Abby Hunter smiled when Eric introduced her. “I have a gift for you, but you must come to my church on Christmas Eve to get it. It’s the Christmas play. I’m going to be Mary.”

  Mr. Tressler smiled for the first time. “Why thank you, I’d be delighted.”

  Jason Birchall was next. He couldn’t stand still. “Want a fast dance or a slow one?” he asked.

  “As you wish,” Mr. Tressler said.

  Jason began his jig. It looked like he was making it up as he went.

  Then Mr. Tressler began to play his flute. It was “Jingle Bells” with lots of extra notes.

  Jason’s jig got better and better.

  At the end, Mr. Tressler said, “Now I have a surprise for all of you.”

  Eric peeked through the storm door. He could see Mr. Tressler heading for the kitchen. But he didn’t see any angels.

  What was going on?

  ELEVEN

  Eric heard a soft cooing sound.

  Mr. Tressler was coming through the living room. Eric leaned forward to see.

  What was that on his shoulders?

  Eric couldn’t help it. He stared.

  Mr. Tressler stood in the doorway. He was covered with white doves! They perched on his shoulders. And on his head. When he cupped his hands, three flew into them.

  So these are the angels! thought Eric.

  The birds seemed so comfortable around the old man. It was like he was their trusted friend.

  Dee Dee’s eyes grew wide.

  Carly giggled.

  Abby’s jaw dropped two feet.

  Stacy whispered, “Wow!”

  Dunkum scratched his head and stared.

  Shawn and Jimmy watched silently.

  Jason blinked his eyes faster than ever.

  Softly, Mr. Tressler began to whistle. The doves cooed along. Eric could see their short legs under their round bodies. What a strange sight.

  Doves do look like tiny angels, thought Eric. All in white with big wings.

  Eric felt good inside. Mr. Tressler wasn’t like anyone he’d ever met. Except maybe for Grandpa.

  Grandpa loved birds, that was no secret. And sometimes he did strange things, too. Like tramping around in the spring, spying on birds with his field glasses.

  Mr. Tressler stopped whistling. “Merry Christmas, kids,” he said, waving his arms. The doves flew to the Christmas tree. They perched on the branches.

  The kids shouted, “Merry Christmas Mr. Tressler!”

  The new neighbor wore the widest grin on Blossom Hill Lane.

  Eric whispered to him, “You whistle good.”

  The old man winked at him. “So do you.”

  “Want to come caroling, uh, whistling with us?” Eric asked.

  Mr. Tressler reached for his cane. And his long brown coat. It looked just fine. Not creepy at all.

  First stop, Eric’s house.

  Eric pressed the doorbell. He stood beside Mr. Tressler. They whistled while the others sang “Silent Night.” They sounded good.

  Grandpa came to the door. Eric introduced him to Mr. Tressler. Grandpa gave Eric a big hug, then he grabbed his coat and hat. He joined the group as they caroled around the cul-de-sac.

  Eric was so happy he stopped whistling and tried to sing. It sounded flat, but it didn’t matter. Mr. Tressler would never have to be alone again. The Cul-de-sac Kids could be the old man’s family!

  Mr. Tressler’s cane danced in the air as the carolers went from house to house.

  Soon, they were back at the old man’s house. He invited Eric’s grandfather inside for coffee.

  The Cul-de-sac Kids waved goodbye to them. “Merry Christmas!” they shouted.

  “And a Merry Christmas to all of you,” Mr. Tressler said, waving his cane. He was out of breath, but a smile burst across his long face.

  Before the two men reached the porch, Eric was whistling again. It was time for his favorite carol—“Angels We Have Heard on High.”

  THE CUL-DE-SAC KIDS SERIES

  Don’t miss #4!

  NO GROWN-UPS

  ALLOWED!

  Jason Birchall can’t wait for Valentine’s Day! His parents are going away for the weekend and Grandma is coming! Jason has big plans! Can he trick his grandmother into allowing him to change his bedtime? Or his eating habits?

  Strange things happen when Jason pigs out on chocolate and stays up late for a scary show!

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  Beverly Lewis plays Christmas music in August. In December she helps her kids make Snow Creatures. Dressing them up in “people” clothes is giggle-time.

  Beverly’s never seen a flying angel. But she has heard the silvery full-moon sound of a flute, played by her sister, Barbara Birch—who designs the pictures in these books.

  Other chapter books you’ll enjoy by Beverly: MOUNTAIN BIKES AND GARBANZO BEANS and THE SIX-HOUR MYSTERY.

  Also by Beverly Lewis

  Amish Prayers

  The Beverly Lewis Amish Heritage Cookbook

  GIRLS ONLY (GO!)†

  Youth Fiction

  Girls Only! Volume One • Girls Only! Volume Two

  SUMMERHILL SECRETS‡

  Youth Fiction

  SummerHill Secrets: Volume One • SummerHill Secrets: Volume Two

  HOLLY’S HEART

  Youth Fiction

  Holly’s Heart: Collection One‡ • Holly’s Heart: Collection Two‡

  Holly’s Heart: Collection Three†

  SEASONS OF GRACE

  Adult Fiction

  The Secret • The Missing • The Telling

  ABRAM’S DAUGHTERS

  Adult Fiction

  The Covenant • The Betrayal • The Sacrifice

  The Prodigal • The Revelation

  ANNIE’S PEOPLE

  Adult Fiction

  The Preacher’s Daughter • The Englisher • The Brethren

  THE ROSE TRILOGY

  Adult Fiction

  The Thorn • The Judgment • The Mercy

  COURTSHIP OF NELLIE FISHER

  Adult Fiction

  The Parting • The Forbidden • The Longing

  THE HERITAGE OF LANCASTER COUNTY

  Adult Fiction

  The Shunning • The Confession • The Reckoning

  OTHER ADULT FICTION

  The Postcard • The Crossroad • The Redemption of Sarah Cain

  October Song • Sanctuary (with David Lewis) • The Sunroom

  www.BeverlyLewis.com

  †4 books in each volume ‡5 books in each volume

  From Bethany House Publishers

  Fiction for Young Readers

  (ages 7-10)

  ASTROKIDS

  by Robert Elmer

  Space scooters? Floating robots? Jupiter ice cream? Blast into the future for out-of-this-world, zero-gravity fun with the AstroKids on space station CLEO-7.

  THE CUL-DE-SAC KIDS

  by Beverly Lewis

  Each story in this lighthearted series features the hilarious antics and predicaments of nine endearing boys and girls who live on Blossom Hill Lane.

  JANETTE OKE’S ANIMAL FRIENDS

  by Janette Oke

  Endearing creatures from the farm, forest, and zoo discover their place in God’s world through various struggles, mishaps, and adventures.